Zaffraan

Out in the Watergraafsmeer, Zaffraan cooks the Iraqi repertoire with conviction: qozi lamb that falls apart at a glance, charcoal kebabs with real depth, fresh flatbreads and mixed grills sized for one person more than you booked for. The room leans authentic rather than styled — Arabic music, families at long tables, unhurried courses — and that's the point. It's a destination restaurant for a cuisine the city centre barely offers; bring a group, order the machawie platter and surrender the afternoon.